Patriots Beat: Feels like football as camp begins

Players, coaches, media, fans — even the owner and some guests of his — all braved the October-like conditions to take in the first morning of training camp.

By Tim Whelan Jr./Daily News staff

Milford Daily News

By Tim Whelan Jr./Daily News staff

Posted Jul. 26, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 26, 2013 at 7:42 AM

By Tim Whelan Jr./Daily News staff

Posted Jul. 26, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 26, 2013 at 7:42 AM

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Summer was but a rumor at Gillette Stadium on Friday, a concept that existed in the past and future but certainly not the present.

As parkas, umbrellas and chilled expressions were in high supply, so was a worthwhile glimpse at the rough draft version of the 2013 New England Patriots.

Players, coaches, media, fans — even the owner and some guests of his — all braved the October-like conditions to take in the first morning of training camp.

And, unlike his time in the rain at Jets camp last year, Tim Tebow kept his shirt on.

"The treadmill is moving, we’re going to jump on, start running," Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said in his pre-practice press conference. "It’s going to be moving fast, we have a lot of ground to cover. I’ve already emphasized to the players how important it is that we keep up, not fall behind but keep up."

Just a bunch of fools in the rain, each with football firmly planted in their respective frontal lobes. The parkas were out, as were the rounds of applause for acts as simple as a Matthew Slater kick return, or a highlight catch from wide receiver Kamar Aiken (who?). The players weren’t in pads, mind you, and won’t be until Monday.

It was live football, though, a welcome sight for anyone who has connections with the team in its offseason of discontent.

Even if the offensive play Friday at times matched the weather in sloppiness. Even if the breakout star of the day was Aiken, who may not be on the team come September. For two-plus hours, members of the Patriots weren’t addressing the plight of an ex-teammate. They were just playing the game they (presumably) love.

The questions came their way afterward, but the tone of the players was one of excitement to be back on the field with 89 of their closest friends.

One newcomer relished being back on a field with his new mates.

"I’m ecstatic to be in New England, that’s for sure," said Danny Amendola, who made a nice diving grab near the sideline during team drills. "It’s a long break, you get a month and a half off with no football, you get to miss it a little bit. When everybody gets back in the locker room, everyone seems real excited, real eager to get back and start working together. We’re all excited to be here."

It is back to the grind. But first, the team had to cede to Taylor Swift. No, seriously.

"We’re on a little bit of a different schedule here with the concert at the stadium for the next couple days," Belichick said, "but after we get the Monday night practice, then we’ll kind of fall back into our normal afternoon type of practice schedule."

Page 2 of 2 - In the regimented world of pro football, a set routine has to be a welcome development for a coach who grew up on the US Naval Academy campus. So much turmoil has encompassed the franchise in the time since June’s minicamp, and the AFC title game loss to Baltimore in January seems like an eternity ago.

A little rain wasn’t going to spoil the unofficial first day of school. Did Belichick even consider bringing the practice to the inside bubble?

"No," he said, adding, "It’s hard to work in that bubble with 90 people."

The Patriots are inside the bubble as a team, though.

This was a first day of training camp like no other for the Patriots, of course. And while owner Robert Kraft, Belichick and assorted team captains have addressed the horror surrounding Aaron Hernandez, the rest of the team was left to answer questions on Friday.